Allegoric language of hiding

Abstract

In Albanian, both sub-dialects interlock in themselves a great lexical richness. The speech of Dibra is part of the Northern sub- dialect. Without investigating other problems, we will deal here with the groups of implied speaking or hiding of thoughts. This manner of expression is compounded by smaller units, including several words used in the respective region, a feature of separate areas. It is that special language which is often called the allegoric speech, but also bearing other denominations that are frequently used in sociolinguistics, such as "round" speech, "shebang" speech or, as it is called mostly in Diber, "codified" speech, etc. Allegory itself as a concept essentially contains the implied meaning, which mainly has to do with the "hidden" meaning. The expressed implication in this way of speech is interdependent upon communication circumstances; it is related to the respective judgments and evaluations as well as to the public opinions, which indirectly, through short phraseologies and expressions, transmit a message, idea, a solution. Implied speaking is based on any old saying or short story invented on the spot, even, it may be any transformed anecdote containing in itself some kind of artistic expression.

In Dibra, this kind of speech is more developed in the Lower Dibra than in the Upper Dibra. In the villages of the Lower Dibra it is developed in the Highland where the natural conditions have obliged inhabitants to use it. This kind of speech generated or has been created by a few people. It was necessitated by vital needs, family or social reasons necessitating the communication with each-other in a difficult moment or to escape the risk. The same kind of speech has been used to transmit messages of war or loyalty cry knowing that the villages are distant from each-other.

Often people want to hear stories told with "codified" speech and, when someone, known to be smart or a teller of many stories with "codified" speech pays a visit to their house, they try to provoke him to see how he well respond.

It is told that once such a guest paid a visit to a family. To honor him, they slaughtered a lamb. At the time of dinner, of course he was served the lamb's head. He opened it and saw that there was no brain in it. All were waiting to see what he was going to do: would he yell for making fun of him or would solve the situation differently. The guest said: "My host, I knew that the people in this village lack brains, but I just learned that even the livestock lacks them."

Their vocabulary is sparing, chosen and with artistic connotations. With the usage of dialectical words and regionalisms, it was not only aimed at hitting the target, but also at revealing the "hidden" key for opening them, because these words were vivid, full of essence. The minds of those using this speech were evaluated by the people as a "wire" and the solutions were so excellent like pearls.